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Short answer: Charcoal soap is a cleansing bar made with activated charcoal, a very porous form of carbon. It cleanses the skin's surface like any gentle cleanser, but it is not a treatment for blackheads or acne and cannot stop new ones forming. If blackheads or breakouts persist, see a dermatologist.
Blackheads are a very common cosmetic concern, and charcoal cleansers are often marketed for them. This guide explains what activated charcoal is, what a charcoal cleanser can and cannot do, how to use a charcoal face wash, and which gentle-cleansing habits matter more than any one product. Our Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser is a bar made for the face and body.
Key takeaways
- Activated charcoal is a cleansing ingredient, not a treatment for blackheads or acne.
- A blackhead is a plugged pore that has opened at the surface, and its dark colour is not dirt.
- Wash up to twice a day and after sweating, with lukewarm water and your fingertips; do not scrub, pick or squeeze.
- Moisturize if your skin feels dry or tight afterwards.
- If blackheads or breakouts persist, are painful or leave scars, see a doctor or dermatologist.
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Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser – Deep Clean Facial & Body Soap
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Shop Now →What is charcoal soap?
Charcoal soap is a soap bar that contains activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is ordinary charcoal that has been processed until it is full of microscopic pores, which gives it a very large surface area. In a cleanser, the charcoal is simply rinsed away with the lather.
Charcoal cleansers also come as gels, foams and scrubs. Our Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser is a bar, and its ingredient list reads water, plant-based soap base, organic activated charcoal and organic coconut oil. Whatever the format, the cleansing job is the same, so the habits further down apply to any of them.
What is a blackhead, and what causes it?
A blackhead is a pore that has become plugged with oil and dead skin cells and stays open at the surface. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says the black speck is not dirt: what you see is a chemical reaction as the contents of the pore meet oxygen in the air, similar to a cut apple turning brown. The US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) likewise says blackheads look black because air discolours the oil, not because they are dirty.
Because the colour is not dirt, scrubbing does not remove it, and the AAD advises resisting the urge to scrub. The NHS adds that you should not pick or squeeze spots, because that can cause scars.
What can an activated charcoal cleanser do?
A charcoal cleanser can cleanse. While you lather and rinse, the soap base lifts oil and loose debris away. That makes a charcoal bar a reasonable daily cleanser, and it can leave skin feeling clean and refreshed.
It fits the same simple routine dermatologists describe for any gentle cleanser: wash, rinse, pat dry and moisturize if your skin needs it. How well it suits you depends on your skin and on the whole formula, not on the charcoal alone. If your skin is sensitive, check the ingredient list for fragrance; the list for our Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser shows none.
What can't charcoal soap do?
It cannot treat, clear or prevent blackheads or acne. A cleanser touches your skin only briefly and then rinses off, so it works on the surface only. It does not pull anything out from inside the body, change how much oil your skin makes, or open and close your pores.
Washing harder or more often does not make it work better. The AAD says to resist scrubbing, and NIAMS lists scrubbing your skin too hard among the things that can make breakouts worse. Charcoal also cannot replace professional care: blackheads that are stubborn or painful, or breakouts that leave marks, are a reason to see a dermatologist.
How do you use a charcoal face wash?
Wash gently with lukewarm water and your fingertips, no more than twice a day and after sweating. Here is the routine step by step:
- Wet your face with lukewarm water. The AAD recommends lukewarm rather than hot water.
- Lather the bar in your hands, then smooth the lather over your face with your fingertips. Washcloths and sponges can irritate skin.
- Massage gently for 30 to 60 seconds, including your nose, chin and forehead. Do not scrub.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
- Moisturize if your skin feels dry or tight. The NHS suggests choosing skincare labelled non-comedogenic, which means it is made not to clog pores.
The AAD suggests washing once in the morning and once at night, plus after sweating. If your skin feels tight, wash less often. If you have a beard, the AAD advises washing the skin underneath every day with a gentle cleanser rather than soap; our beard washing guide covers the method.
Which gentle-cleansing habits matter most?
These habits matter more than which cleanser you pick. The table sums up advice from the AAD, the NHS and NIAMS.
| Habit | Do | Skip |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Lukewarm water | Hot water |
| Tools | Your fingertips | Washcloths, sponges and brushes |
| Pressure | A light, gentle massage | Scrubbing |
| Frequency | Up to twice a day and after sweating | Washing many times a day |
| Spots | Leave them alone | Picking or squeezing |
| Drying | Pat dry with a soft towel | Rubbing with the towel |
Two details are easy to miss. Sweat matters: the AAD notes that perspiration, especially under a hat or helmet, irritates the skin, so wash soon after you sweat. And gentle, consistent washing beats forceful washing, because scrubbing and frequent washing can irritate skin.
When should you see a doctor or dermatologist?
See a doctor or dermatologist if gentle care is not making a difference, or if you notice any of the signs below. The NHS suggests seeing a GP if:
- you have tried self-care but it is not getting better
- you have lots of spots, or spots that are deep, painful or leaving scars
- the skin is hot, swollen and red, which needs medical advice promptly
- it is affecting your mental health
A dermatologist can recommend suitable products and treatments. The AAD notes that a procedure called comedo extraction, done by a dermatologist, may help with stubborn blackheads. Do not squeeze blackheads yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Does charcoal soap remove blackheads?
No. Charcoal soap is a cleanser, not a treatment. It can cleanse the surface of your skin, but a blackhead is a plugged pore, not surface dirt, so washing alone does not unplug it. Gentle washing is still a sensible habit. If blackheads bother you, a pharmacist or dermatologist can suggest suitable products, and it is best not to squeeze them yourself.
Does charcoal soap pull toxins out of your skin?
No. A cleanser works on the surface of your skin while you wash and then rinses away. Activated charcoal in a bar cannot reach beneath the skin or pull anything out of your body, and neither can any other soap. Be cautious about marketing that suggests otherwise.
How often should I use a charcoal face wash?
The American Academy of Dermatology advises limiting face washing to twice a day and after sweating, for example once in the morning and once at night. Washing more often can irritate your skin. If your skin feels tight, wash less often and moisturize.
Why do I still get blackheads if I wash my face?
Blackheads form inside the pore from oil and dead skin cells, not from dirt on the surface. Washing is still a good habit, but surface dirt is not what plugs a pore. If blackheads bother you, a dermatologist can suggest options, and it is best not to squeeze them yourself.
Is charcoal soap suitable for dry or sensitive skin?
Any cleanser can feel drying, and skin varies. If your skin is dry or sensitive, test the bar on a small area first, as the AAD explains, start with one wash a day, use lukewarm water and moisturize afterwards. Look for a short, fragrance-free ingredient list. If your skin stings, burns or reacts, stop using the bar, and see a doctor or dermatologist if it does not settle.
What is the difference between charcoal soap and a charcoal face wash?
Charcoal soap usually means a solid bar, while a charcoal face wash is often a gel or foam in a bottle or tube. Both contain activated charcoal as a cleansing ingredient, so the same gentle-washing rules apply. Choose the format you will use consistently, and check the ingredient list for fragrance if your skin is sensitive.
Related guides
- Are natural bar soaps better for men? What to look for
- Oatmeal Shea Honey Soap Bar, a body or face bar for dry or sensitive skin
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology: signs and symptoms (what a blackhead is)
- American Academy of Dermatology: blackheads and when to see a dermatologist
- American Academy of Dermatology: face washing 101
- American Academy of Dermatology: how to test skin care products
- NIAMS (US National Institutes of Health): types, causes and risk factors for blackheads and breakouts
- NHS: skin care advice and when to see a GP
Knightsmen Grooming products are cosmetics. This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin or scalp condition, or sudden changes in your hair, see a doctor or dermatologist.
